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 2.75 or 3....

P:  4/24/2004 9:31:14 AM  
iknowquinn
iknowquinn

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 63
Last Post: 5/6/2004
Member Since: 2/12/2004
 
Hi everyone-
Ok- we are finally finally 100% ready. Went to GOG last week and saw the stones we have been looking at on the site, in person. They were MORE BEAUTIFUL than I could have ever been prepared for. The problem is- they were all SO beautiful, I am having alot of trouble making a final decision. Here are the few we have narrowed it down to:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/2_74ct_i_vs2_h%26a.htm
http://www.goodoldgold.com/2_76ct_i_vs2_h&a.htm
http://www.goodoldgold.com/3_05ct_i_si1_h&a.htm

The truth is- by the end of our appt, we couldn't even tell which was which anymore. The all just sprakled like crazy, and we couldn't even tell which one was the 3 carat, and which were the 2.74 and 2.76. The 2.76 did appear slightly whiter to me at one point, but then after a while- again- i could no longer tell. Would love to hear some opinions out there.....thanks so much!!

Posted:  4/24/2004 9:31:14 AM

 There are 24 replies to this message.  There are 24 replies on this page.

P: 4/24/2004 9:37:22 AM
Giangi
Giangi

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 2,530
Last Post: 10/29/2006
Member Since: 1/23/2003
 
You've picked three amazing stones!!
My first choice would be the 3ct one, mainly because of the size. My second pick would be the 2.76.
But... didn't the 3.05ct look a little larger?

_____________
Omnia Mea Mecum Porto.

Giangi

Posted:  4/24/2004 9:37:22 AM
P: 4/24/2004 9:45:13 AM
iknowquinn
iknowquinn

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 63
Last Post: 5/6/2004
Member Since: 2/12/2004
 
hi-

that's the thing...we really couldn't tell the difference between the three by the end of the appt. I think initially we saw the difference- but it wasn't so pronounced, that it was obvious. The 2.74 and 2.76 were really quite large! I have tried on that same carat weight at Tiffanys, and there is NO question those appeared smaller on my hand than these did.

Posted:  4/24/2004 9:45:13 AM
P: 4/24/2004 9:48:47 AM
Patty
Patty

Ideal Rock
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Last Post: 6/4/2008
Member Since: 12/7/2003
 
Is the SI1 eye-clean? (I'm assuming it is.) Are the two smaller ones considerably less expensive? Those are things that would influence my decision.

Posted:  4/24/2004 9:48:47 AM
P: 4/24/2004 10:17:07 AM
moremoremore
moremoremore

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 6,825
Last Post: 2/9/2009
Member Since: 3/15/2004
 
I just checked them out and they look great!!!! Let me ask you- how important is it to have a "3 carat"????? Will you be happy with less? #2 and #3 had the best B-scope results. I really like them both.....I would just go for the second one and for the few thousand diff get an awesome setting or band!

______________________________ Stewart says: I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And doggon'it, people like me.

Posted:  4/24/2004 10:17:07 AM
P: 4/24/2004 10:49:44 AM
lop
lop

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 2,651
Last Post: 9/7/2009
Member Since: 6/14/2003
 
These are all gorgeous stones! I think you have to decide if the "3" ct is important to you. They will all look very big. (I have a 2.5, and it is huge -- it looks much larger set than it did loose.) And, as you say, there isn't a huge difference in the size. When I was looking, I considered stones in about a .5ct range, that I then narrowed down to about a .25 range. They all would have been fine size-wise.

If you really want that "3"ct, get it -- it's a beautiful stone. Splitting hairs, I'd rather stay away from primary incusions in the center of the table. Otherwise, I'd probably save a little and go with #1 or #2. If they all really are undistinguishable, you may as well pay the least you can. Even in this price range saving a few thou isn't a bad thing.

I like the idealscope pic of #1, the ISEE results are the best you can get, and the inclusions look straight forward and minor.

Did the folks at GOG have any advise about how one will perform vs the others or do they agree they are all pretty comparable?

Posted:  4/24/2004 10:49:44 AM
P: 4/24/2004 11:20:33 AM
iknowquinn
iknowquinn

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 63
Last Post: 5/6/2004
Member Since: 2/12/2004
 
Well, to me the 2.76 appeared whiter when i first saw it. As time went on I couldn't tell anymore- but I know that initally I saw a definite difference colorwise.

The 3 carat mark is not important to me. The 3 carat "look" is what I loved. The look of that size on my finger...and when I saw the 2.76 and 2.74, I could have sworn they looked as big as the 3 carat I had tried on at Tiffanys. I am wondering why the 2.76 doesn't have Isee2 results though....I need to check into that.

Is there any sort of personal "test" anyone would do to make that final decision? I mean they are all so close in comparison to one another, is there any sort of criteria you would recommend using just to make that final final decision? I really thought I was just know it when I saw it- I didn't think the final decision would be this difficult!

ALSO- what is the reason you are going with the 2.76 as opposed to the 2.74..? Is it strictly price?

Posted:  4/24/2004 11:20:33 AM
P: 4/24/2004 12:11:06 PM
fire&ice
fire&ice

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 7,827
Last Post: 3/30/2009
Member Since: 7/22/2002
 
Well, I seriously considered a stone shy of 3c. I went w/ a 3.01 stone. I like the fact that when someone asks the size, I can honestly say 3 carats. Plus, when the stone is passed on, it will always be labeled as F&I's 3 carat ring.

...just a thought.

Posted:  4/24/2004 12:11:06 PM
P: 4/24/2004 12:23:46 PM
iknowquinn
iknowquinn

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 63
Last Post: 5/6/2004
Member Since: 2/12/2004
 
i understand what you are saying about it "actually" being a 3 carat...but being that i literally could not tell the 2.76 from the 3 by the end of the appt...i am leaning towards the 2.76- and we will save a few thousand dollars. also- the 2.76 seems to be a much "cleaner" stone according the the GIA report...even though the 3 carat looked just as stunning...i like the idea that the 2.76 has less imperfections in reality. ok- i can see i am talking myself into the 2.76 right now. i think we are going to go back on thursday to see them once more.

we really really wanted to see the 3.34 H SI1 that GOG has...but we did not secure it with a deposit, and by the time we got to visit the store...it has been sold. I think that is playing with my mind a little. the fact that we never got to see that one.

Posted:  4/24/2004 12:23:46 PM
P: 4/24/2004 1:49:29 PM
lop
lop

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 2,651
Last Post: 9/7/2009
Member Since: 6/14/2003
 
you can't go wrong here. I would probably trade off the size for the peace of mind better clarity, but that's me. F&I wouldn't. I think I would try looking at each separately and seeing if you can see one looking better to you. I like the 2.74 also -- I'd do the final eye test with all three.

Posted:  4/24/2004 1:49:29 PM
P: 4/24/2004 2:04:51 PM
iknowquinn
iknowquinn

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 63
Last Post: 5/6/2004
Member Since: 2/12/2004
 
i am leaning towards the 2.76
why are you leaning towards the 2.74?

thanks!

Posted:  4/24/2004 2:04:51 PM
P: 4/24/2004 5:04:09 PM
fire&ice
fire&ice

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 7,827
Last Post: 3/30/2009
Member Since: 7/22/2002
 
I'd put them side by side & pick the prettiest one. The 2.76 jumped out at you when you first viewed them. Trust your gut. If the same thing happens when you revist the stones, then it was meant to be!

Posted:  4/24/2004 5:04:09 PM
P: 4/24/2004 6:17:47 PM
iknowquinn
iknowquinn

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 63
Last Post: 5/6/2004
Member Since: 2/12/2004
 
yes, i am hoping that with our second visit- one will become the obvious choice.

now, out of curiosity- i ran the the diamonds through the HCA, and they all scored exactly 1. what does that really mean? i read sometimes that people prefer lower...like .7, while others prefer higher, such as 2. what should i understand to be true about stones that score exactly 1? thanks!

Posted:  4/24/2004 6:17:47 PM
P: 4/24/2004 6:43:54 PM
Mara
Mara

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 27,919
Last Post: 11/23/2009
Member Since: 10/30/2002
 
1 is an excellent score. Some experts feel that is the sweet spot of the HCA...meaning some feel that something like .7 or .6 may be too low, and 1.8 is too high. However, honestly it's splitting hairs under 2.0 ...I personally think 1 is an absolutely fabulous score...it's in the 'middle' of the too good/possibly bad so there's really no way to misinterpret the 1 score IMO.

________________________________

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein

Posted:  4/24/2004 6:43:54 PM
P: 4/24/2004 10:10:23 PM
iknowquinn
iknowquinn

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 63
Last Post: 5/6/2004
Member Since: 2/12/2004
 
now, how important do you think it is to take a stone out into the actual daylight before you purchase it? due to schedule issues, we are only able to make it out to the store during the nighttime, making it impossible to view the stone in the actual daylight. do you think it's crucial we make the time to do that? my ONLY ONLY ONLY concern about the stone at this point, is the I color. i feel like the stone was absolutely stunning in every possible way when i was looking at it at the store...but i have read so many posts written by people who "won't" go below G etc etc...especially in a larger stone...that it makes me a little uneasy. we definitely want to take one more look before we pull the trigger- but i am wondering if we should somehow schedule the appt for the daytime...is this crucial??

Posted:  4/24/2004 10:10:23 PM
P: 4/24/2004 11:57:18 PM
luvmysparklies
luvmysparklies

Cut Rock
Total Posts: 266
Last Post: 5/23/2008
Member Since: 8/5/2003
 
Iknowquinn-

When Jon does his presentation(s), one of the things he does is put the stones under a light that imitates actual daylight and you can see the color that you can expect in regular daylight. He has a very nice store with all the jewelry lighting, but is pretty passionate about the clients viewing the stone in this particular instrument's light so you can see what you're getting and NOT be swayed by all the fancy halogen lights. When you make the appointment next Thurs. just re-look at the stones in that light source and ask him to put a comparably sized J and H color next to your stone. You should then be able to see where the I falls and if its color is acceptable to you. There will be "warmth" but I don't think that you'll see blatant yellow. This should work for you in lieu of going during the day, if you are not able to. You have very nice choices there!
Luv

Posted:  4/24/2004 11:57:18 PM
P: 4/25/2004 10:54:48 AM
valeria101
valeria101

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 14,048
Last Post: 4/30/2006
Member Since: 8/29/2003
 
I can't see any serious difference between the three - I totally agree that these should be good brothers in person and that you can't really go wrong.

Personally, I would be fine with the I grade, are you? Surely you can compare these with other color grades at GOG (maybe the H and D VVS-s) - especially since you wanted H at first. All in all the most imporatnt would be what makes you happy.

Can't wait to hear about your stone, sure that


BTW: the 2.76 has the total Isee score of 9.6 (written discretely on the bottom of the Bscope picture... for some time GOG had the Isees pulled out, and this must be the last trace of it).



Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian]

Posted:  4/25/2004 10:54:48 AM
P: 4/25/2004 11:08:11 AM
fire&ice
fire&ice

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 7,827
Last Post: 3/30/2009
Member Since: 7/22/2002
 
Quite frankly, don't get hung up on what the color says on paper. If it's acceptable & pleasing to your eyes that is all that matters.

Posted:  4/25/2004 11:08:11 AM
P: 4/25/2004 11:32:58 AM
Lions, Tigers & Bears
Lions, Tigers & Bears

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 4,107
Last Post: 9/12/2005
Member Since: 10/18/2003
 
----------------
On 4/24/2004 1:49:29 PM lop wrote:

you can't go wrong here. ...I'd do the final eye test with all three. ----------------



Perfectly said. Just post pics when you're done--can't wait to see the beauty you end up with.

_____________________________________________ Don't breed or buy when homeless pets continue to die.

Posted:  4/25/2004 11:32:58 AM
P: 4/25/2004 1:20:21 PM
lop
lop

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 2,651
Last Post: 9/7/2009
Member Since: 6/14/2003
 
----------------
On 4/24/2004 2:04:51 PM iknowquinn wrote:

i am leaning towards the 2.76
why are you leaning towards the 2.74?

thanks!----------------



I'm not leaning toward it, but I like it. I like the inclusions, and I like the ISEE score. I doubt there is any visible difference between the 2.76 and the 2.74, so that begs for the 2.76 unless one simply is more appealing to your eye. (BTW, I understand how they can all start looking alike. My eyes tend to blur the differences after a while of looking at them.)

good luck, and keep us posted!

Posted:  4/25/2004 1:20:21 PM
P: 4/25/2004 3:03:55 PM
iknowquinn
iknowquinn

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 63
Last Post: 5/6/2004
Member Since: 2/12/2004
 
hi,

the 2.76 appeared whiter to me at first. but i also notice now, on the GIA cert- it seems to have the least inclusions of any of the stones. that makes me feel good as well... am i interpreting that correctly by the way?

anyway- looking forward to our final visit. after digesting all this info- i am very interested to see if one stone will clearly be "the one"...or if it will still be an incredibly tough call.

Posted:  4/25/2004 3:03:55 PM
P: 4/25/2004 4:23:45 PM
lop
lop

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 2,651
Last Post: 9/7/2009
Member Since: 6/14/2003
 
If it an incredibly rough call, go for the least expensive. These stones are going to blaze!

Posted:  4/25/2004 4:23:45 PM
P: 4/26/2004 1:52:48 AM
valeria101
valeria101

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 14,048
Last Post: 4/30/2006
Member Since: 8/29/2003
 

You are right about the inclusions - the 2.76 has them all off the table - for what is this worth in a VS2. Also, these color grades are not precise slots - so some I would be closer to H and others to J. While I would not bet that this is what explains to slight color difference you describe, it could well be so...


Between the two VS ones, the one that makes you more confortable with the choice should be the winner - not much else could tell them aprt.


Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian]

Posted:  4/26/2004 1:52:48 AM
P: 7/4/2004 2:58:43 PM
Lynn B
Lynn B

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 5,142
Last Post: 11/22/2009
Member Since: 5/9/2004
 
Wow, what a ***F*U*N*** choice to have to make!!!

Lynn


And THAT'S my story and I'm sticking to it!

Posted:  7/4/2004 2:58:43 PM
P: 7/4/2004 5:07:11 PM
researcher
researcher

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 2,440
Last Post: 5/26/2008
Member Since: 4/27/2004
 
They're all lovely, but I would go with the 2.76. I had a hard time deciding between a 3.22 ct and a 3.65 ct, and chose the former because it did better on the BScope and I liked its inclusion plot more. I would have loved to have had that extra size, but it was more important to have the best stone

Posted:  7/4/2004 5:07:11 PM

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